Early in the 2026–27 J1 League season, after six matchweeks, newly promoted sides JEF United Chiba (3 points) and V-Varen Nagasaki (4 points) sit near the bottom alongside Tokyo Verdy (3 points), Shimizu S-Pulse (4 points), and Avispa Fukuoka (4 points), while Mito HollyHock has adapted more quickly with 9 points. Machida Zelvia leads the table unbeaten, followed by Vissel Kobe and Kashima Antlers. The 38-match campaign, the first under the new August-to-May calendar, leaves ample time for recovery or further decline, with goal difference and head-to-head results serving as tiebreakers for the three direct relegation spots to J2. Recent results highlight defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistent attacking output among the lower teams.